File folder envelope



2 Sheets-Shawl:`

W. R. CHAPEL FILE FOLDER ENVELOPE Filid'Au. 3l, 1942 BQN v April 4, 1944.

April .4, 1944. w. R. CHAPEL 2,345,793

' FILE FOLDER ENvELoP-E Filed Aug. s1, 1942 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Apr. 4, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FILE FOLDER ENVELOPE Wilbur R. Chapel, Barrington, Ill.

Application August 31, 1942, Serial No. 456,737

(Cl. 12S-16.7)

7 Claims.

The present invention relates to le envelopes. The principal object ol the invention is to provide a mailing envelope wherein booklets, catalogues, and various types of printed or written matter may be mailed, the envelope being so constructed as to provide an indexing file folder for filing the contents when they are received by the addressee.

I am aware that heretoforelattempts have been made to provide envelopes which would serve additionally as le folders for indexing and ling away the contents thereof. My invention however distinguishes from such previous devices in that it provides a le envelope that is free of objectionable flaps or additional thicknesses of material when it is used as a file folder. The envelope is of such nature that it may be readily inspected by postal authorities for the reason that it is customary to mail most catalogues, printed matter and the like unsealed in order that they may be inspected by the postal authorities.

My invention further contemplates a novel file envelope wherein the receiver of the envelope may transform it into a file folder by a simple continuous separation of the sealing (multiple thickness) layers of the envelope from the remainder. In this connection the envelope is so arranged that in separating the edges having flaps folded over to make a pocket an index tab is created on at least one side edge of the folder. In certain forms of the invention this idea is carried further and the file foldel` is made with one wall longer than the other in order to expose the headings and dates of letters, etc., that may be filed in the folder. The resulting le folder created by the separating operation is in all respects substantially identical with the normal open le folder commonly used. It has only the front and back walls and these walls are of a single thickness. Furthermore, the file folder provided has at least a portion of one of the walls higher than the corresponding portion of the opposite wall for indexing purposes.

One of the important features of the present invention is the construction of the blank from which the file envelope is made and the reduction of waste material due to conversion of the envelope into a file folder. In its preferred form the file envelope comprises just enough sheet stock to form an envelope with narrow flaps along two or three sides of the envelope to ef` fect the formation of a pocket and a closure iiap.A

In the conversion of the envelope into a file folder by the recipient of the envelope the only lost material comprises the parts of the envelope used to create the pocket and to provide a closure flap, the remaining portion of the envelope being no more than is absolutely necessary for the file folder. By my construction I maintain the thickness taken up by the le folder to essentially the same thickness that is taken up by a standard le folder having two opposing single ply walls. This is an important advantageiin the saving of filing space.

The features and advantages of the invention will appear more fully as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of the invention is shown. It is to be understood however that the drawings and description are illustrative only and that they should not be considered as limiting the invention except insofar as it is limited by the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the file.

envelope blank prior to its being folded into envelope shape;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the le envelope completed and closed ready for mailing;

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation illustrating the le folder as it is completed -by the separating operation, the separated parts being shown in conjunction with the folder;

Fig. 4 is a View taken from the opposite side from that of Fig. 3 showing only a portion of the file folder and the removed material;

Fig. 5 is a view in side elevationof` a slightly modified form of the invention wherein the file envelope is so prepared as to provide a file folderwith one wall longer than the other;

Fig. 6 is aview in side elevation of the le envelope shown in Fig. 5 but with the lefolder portion separated from the envelope forming portions;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view on the line 1-7 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-.8 of Fig. 5.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the file envelope blank shown in Fig. lcomprises a fiat sheet of envelope stock preferably of a grade that is sufficiently stiff to make good le folders. It will be noted that this sheet corn? prises a main body portion IU creased along the line I l to provide a fold line. The body portion is also provided with a closure flap l2 that eX- tends along one end edge of the larger section Illa of the body. The meeting line of this-closure flap with the portion lua is perforated withv small die-cut perforations indicated at I3 so that the closure flap may be separated from the portion lila. The perforations I3 curve into the portion Illa at the top thereof. Along the free edge of the portion Illa, opposite the fold line II, a sealing ap I4 is provided. The material is creased at the junction I5 of the flap I4 with the portion Illa to facilitate folding of the flap. The flap I4 is of such a length as to overlap with the portion Ib of the body I when the portion IIlb is folded -against the portion Illa. A suitable adhesive is applied to the overlapped surfaces of the flap I4 and the portion Ib.

The portion Ill?)` has a line of perforations I6 extending parallel to the edge that is overlapped by the flap I4, this line of perforations being substantially even with the edge of the flap- I, This line of perforations meets a similar line of perforations II that extends at right angles to it at a small distance from the side edge of the blank I 0 remote from the flap I2. This line cf perforations I'I extends from the line of perforations I in a direction parallel to the aforementioned edge of the blank I to a point adjacent to the junction of the flap I4 with the body1 portion Illa. The line of perforations curves as indicated at I8 and extends parallel to the crease I5 for a distance preferably somewhat more than one-half the distance to the edge ofthe portion Illa that carries the flap I2. The line of perforations then extends outwardly along a, curved path as indicated at I9 to the crease I5 and follows the crease I5 for the rest of the way across the portion Illa. The line of perforations II separates the portions Ia and |511 from two sealing portions 20h and 20a that may be secured together by adhesive indicated on the portion Zlib or by stapling to complete the envelope.

In making an envelope from the blank just described the portion IIJb is rst folded over along the fold line II and the portions 25ct and 2017 are secured together. The flap I 4 is then folded over the edge of the portion IIlb` and adhcred to it by the adhesive provided on the flap. An adhesive is also preferably provided on the inner surface of the flap I4 at one extreme end as indicated at 2I so that the flap I4 will adhere to the portion 20a of the body and complete the sealing of the end of the envelope. The envelope is then complete for reception of the contents that are to be mailed, after which the closure ap I2 may be inserted. The envelope is then ready for mailing.

When the addressee of the envelope receives it he may make a simple file folder of it by separating the portions "Zlibl and 2a `from the main body portion along the perforated line I'I. The iiap I4 has a perforation line 22 that forms a continuation of the line I'I' from the point where the portion IilbI is adhered to the flap. This line of perforations 22 follows the line of perforations I 'I across the top of the envelope and joins it where the line of perforaticns coincides with the fold line I5. Thus by the one separating operation the envelope is opened up along one end and a portion of the top edge. The remainder of the flap I4 is then removed by separating it along the line of perforations I6 and the flap I2 is finally removed by separating it along the line of perforations I 3. This provides a iile folder with an index tab Z3 on the back wall thereof and with the back wall longer than the front wall; in other words, an ordinary le folder. It will be noted that the thickness of material in the file folder is at no point more than the thickness of the sheet stock from which the envelope is made. There are no loose edges of aps remaining on the file folder to interfere with its use in the ordinary way.

Referring now to the slightly modified form of the invention, in this form of the invention the body portion 25 of the envelope comprises a blank similar in construction to the blank l5 but in this case the body portion is creased along its midpoint so that the front part 25a and back part 25h of the envelope are essentially the same in height. A closing flap 25 is attached to the Y back portion 25h at one end, there being a line of perforations 21 at the junction of the closing ap with the back portion.

A top flap 28 is connected to the back portion,

this top flap being of the shape shown in Fig. 5.

There is a line of perforations 20 between the top flap and the back portion 25h. The top flap is secured to the front portion 25a by a suitable adhesive.

At the side edge opposite to the fiap 25 I provide another flap 30 on the back portion 25h, this flap being of a substantial width, that is, about 2 on a standard size envelope, for receiving letter size paper unfolded. The flap extends from the junction of the top flap with the back portion to the junction of the front portion with the back'portion. A line of perforations 3l is provided along the junction of the flap 55 with the back portion. The flap 35 is folded over and adhered to the front portion 25a, by suitable adhesive to complete the envelope.

The front portion 25a is provided with a line of perforations 32 beginning at the upper righthand edge just below the top flap and following the top flap to the point 33 where the top flap is reduced in depth. At this point the line of perforations is curved upwardly and is continued as a line 34 to a curved portion 35 that extends down to the edge of the flap 35. The line of perforations then continues as the line 35 to the junction of the front portion 25a with the back portion 25h and thence Vas indicated at 3i along the junction line to the edge where the flap 30 is secured.

This particular construction provides a file envelope that has a front wall 25a that is not as long as the rear wall in a horizontal direction. It will be evident that by separating the top flap 28 by starting along the perforation lines 29 and 32 the flap 28 and the flap 35 and the adhered portions of the front wall 25a can be stripped off, leaving the back wall 25h straight along the top edge and along the left-hand edge with an index portion visible above the perforation line 32 and with the back Wall slightly higher than the top wall, as is customary in le folders. The only additional step necessary to produce the final file folder is to remove the flap 26 by tearing along the line of perforations 2T that joins it to the back portion 25h. This file folder, in addition to having all of the characteristics of an ordinary file folder, including front and back walls of single thicknesses, has the front Wall cut away suiciently to leave the headings and the letters filed in the file holder exposed at the left-hand edge of the folder, as shown in Fig. 6. This form of the invention has all of the advantages of the rst form and in addition the advantage just described. It calls attention to the presence or absence of contents within a folder and shows the nature of such contents.

It will be noted from an examination of the,

drawings and from the description that the waste material involved in converting the envelope to. a file folder is only that material which is used in securing the opposite portions of the envelope together and the material necessary for the closing iiap. Where the closing flap is to be sealed it is contemplated to provide a separation line for removing the sealed part of the flap. The envelope itself utilizes no more material than an ordinary envelope yet the le folder obtained is of the ordinary size and is free of double thicknesses which would reduce the amount of filing in a given cabinet space. The le folder is also free of loose flaps that would be inconvenient in filing. By the utilization of this file envelope the amount of paper necessary for mailing and ling is cut to that necessary for the mailing of the printed matter. The envelope provides the file folder for the addressee.

Envelopes of this character also have the advantage of enabling the one who mails catalogues and circular information to originally print the proper indexing information directly on the envelope where it will appear as the indexing tab of the ultimate ille folder. The indexing tab may be put anywhere along the edge. In fact the position and nature of the indexing tab may be varied to suit the needs of the trade. The le folder may be used with separate indexing tabs if desired. In addition the entire interior of the file folder or envelope is 4available for printing advertising matter or information for ready reference by the recipient of the mailed package.

While I have described the separation lines in both forms of the invention as comprising perforations, it will be evident that such separation lines may be provided in other ways. The material may be weakened in any known manner along the separation lines. Partial cutting of the material and complete cutting with subsequent fastening of the parts together to provide a separation line are within the contemplation of providing weakened portions for separation of the parts. The weakening must be such as to make it easy to separate the envelope closing parts of the file envelope from the front and back walls that produce the le folder. In the claims I use the term weakened portions to include the above and equivalent connections between the parts whereby they may be readily separated.

From the foregoing description it is believed that the nature of the present invention and its use will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a file envelope, a paper sheet folded intermediate its ends to provide front and back Walls, one end of said sheet comprising a flap folded into overlapped relation to the other end of the sheet and attached thereto, said front and back walls being secured to each other along one side edge thereof, one of said walls having a closing flap secured to the other side edge there of, said sheet having weakened separation lines at the side edges that are secured together and along the two opposite ends, the weakened line in the overlapped one of said walls adjacent the first named flap being located inwardly of the zone of attachment of the ap whereby the flap and the attaching portion of said overlapped wall may be removed together.

2, In a file envelope, a paper sheet folded intermediate its ends to provide front and back walls, one end of said sheet comprising a flap folded into overlapped relation to the other end of the sheet and attached thereto, said front and back Walls being secured to each other along one side edge thereof, one of said walls having a closing flap secured to the other side edge thereof, said sheet having weakened separation lines at the side edges that are secured together and along the two opposite ends, the weakened line in the overlapped one of said walls adjacent the first named ap being located inwardly of the Zone of attachment of the flap, and the weakened separation lines including a line along' the other end of the sheet that coincides with the line of attachment of the attached ilap for at least a portion of its length whereby the ap and the attaching portion of said overlapped wall may be removed together.

3. In a le envelope, a paper sheet folded intermediate its ends to provide front and back walls, one end of said sheet comprising a flap folded into overlapped relation to the other end of the sheet and attached thereto, said front and back walls being secured to each other along one side edge thereof and one of the walls carrying a side edge ap that overlaps the side edge of the other wall and is attached thereto, one of said walls having a closing flap secured to the other side edge thereof, said sheet having weakened separation lines at the side edges that are secured together and along the ends, the weakened line in the overlapped one of said walls being located inwardly of the zone of attachment of the flap whereby the flap and the attaching portion of said overlapped wall may be removed together, one of the weakened separation lines at the side edges being along the junction of the attached flap with its supporting wall and the other separation line being in the overlapped wall inwardly of the attachment of the ap thereto.

4. In a file envelope, a paper sheet folded intermediate its ends to provide front and back walls, one end of said sheet comprising a ap folded into overlapped relation to the other end of the sheet and attached thereto, said front and back walls being secured to each other along on-e side edge thereof to form an envelope pocket, one of said walls having a closing flap secured to the other side edge thereof, the flaps, the overlapped portion and the secured together portions of said envelope being joined to said front and back walls by weakened portions establishing separating lines for ready removal of said flaps and overlapped and secured together portions from the front and back walls whereby to provide a le folder with single thickness front and back walls. Y

5. In a le envelope, a paper sheet folded intermediate its ends to provide front and back walls, one end of said sheet comprising a flap folded into overlapped relation to the other end of the sheet and attached thereto, said front and back walls being secured to each other along one side edge thereof to form an envelope pocket, one of said walls having a closing ilap secured to the other side edge thereof, the flaps, the overlapped portion and the secured together portions of said envelope being joined to said front and back walls by weakened portions establishing separating lines for ready removal of said aps and overlapped and secured together portions from the front and back walls whereby to provide a file folder with single thickness front and back Walls, the separating lines at the top edge of the front Wall being farther from the edge of said sheet than those at the top edge of the back wall thereby providing the folder with a back wall higher than the front Wall.

6. In a le envelope, a paper sheet folded intermediate its ends to provide front and back Walls, one end of said sheet comprising a flap folded into overlapped relation to the other end of the sheet and attached thereto, said front and back walls being secured to each other along one side edge thereof to form an envelope pocket, one of said walls having a closing flap secured to the other side edge thereof, the flaps and the overlapped and secured together portions of said envelope being joined to said front and back walls by weakened portions establishing separating lines for ready removal of said flaps and overlapped and secured together portions from the front: and back walls whereby to provide a iile folder with single thickness front and back walls, the separating lines at the top edge and one side edge of the front Wall being farther from the edge of said sheet than those at the top edge and one side edge of the back wall thereby providing the folder with a back Wall higher and wider than the front wall.

7. In a le envelope, a paper sheet folded intermediate its ends toprovide front and back walls, one end of said sheet comprising a flap folded into overlapped relation to the other end of the sheet and attached thereto, said front and back walls being secured to each other along one side edge thereof to form an envelope pocket, one of said walls having a closing flap secured to the other side edge thereof, the flaps and the overlapped and secured together portions of said envelope being joined to said front and back Walls by weakened portions establishing separating lines for ready removal of said flaps and overlapped `and secured together portions from the front and back walls whereby to provide a file folder with single thickness front and back walls, the separating line at one side edge of the front wall being farther from the edge of said sheet than the line at the corresponding side edge of the back wall thereby providing the folder with a back wall wider than the front wall,

WILBUR R. CHAPEL. 

